Teachers across the Northern Territory are preparing for potential disruption as Tropical Cyclone Fina tracks toward the coast, prompting warnings, school closures and contingency planning for the days ahead.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a cyclone warning for Darwin, the Tiwi Islands and parts of western Arnhem Land, with Fina strengthening unusually early in the season. Initially a category-one system, it is forecast to intensify to category two and possibly category three heading into the weekend.
Several remote schools have already suspended operations. Campuses in Minjilang, Warruwi, Milikapiti and Pirlangimpi were closed until further notice, and ferry services linking the Tiwi Islands and Mandorah with Darwin have been paused. Charles Darwin University has also closed its Darwin campuses as a precaution. While schools in the Darwin region remain open, authorities are monitoring conditions closely.
On Wednesday night, the bureau said Fina was “moving east about 370km north-east of Darwin” and expected to turn south before approaching the coast. Senior meteorologist Jonathan How noted that early-season cyclones of this timing are rare, saying that “based on Fina’s track map it could also cross the coast on the 21st, 22nd November, so that could equal the record for earliest landfall,” which would also make it the earliest cyclone on record for the NT.
Although the cyclone season officially begins on 1 November, most landfalls occur well into December. The current forecast track shows Darwin within the potential impact zone, raising the likelihood of strong winds and heavy rain across school communities.
The most recent significant cyclone to affect Darwin was Marcus in 2018, which crossed the coast as a category-two system, bringing gusts of 130km/h, widespread tree damage and power outages. While Marcus caused mainly infrastructure and clean-up challenges, it reinforced the importance of disaster readiness in schools and early-learning centres.
Climate specialists say early-season intensification may become more familiar. Prof Steve Turton of Central Queensland University said that “we’re expecting the intensity of these storms to increase” due to climate change, with faster strengthening driven by warmer ocean temperatures. Sea surface temperatures in the Timor Sea are currently above the threshold required to support cyclones, he noted.
For school leaders and teachers, Cyclone Fina serves as a reminder of the region’s long-running vulnerability. The legacy of Cyclone Tracy — which struck Darwin on Christmas Day 1974, causing 66 deaths and destroying or damaging more than 70 per cent of the city’s buildings — continues to shape building standards and emergency planning across the Territory.
While Fina’s eventual path and strength remain uncertain, education authorities say they will continue issuing updates as the system approaches. Teachers in affected regions are being encouraged to review emergency procedures, prepare learning disruptions where necessary and support families who may need to relocate or secure their homes.